Wired pipe surface sub

ABSTRACT

A sub for a wired pipe system that includes a body includes an outer surface and a pin end and a first transmission device located in or near the pin end. The sub also includes a communication collar that at least partially surrounds the outer surface and that is rotatable relative to the body, a second transmission device in electrical communication with the first transmission device and a transmission line that electrically connects the first and second communication devices and that passes at least partially through the body. The sub further includes a third transmission device located in the communication collar in communication with the second transmission device. In the disclosed sub, the first, second and third transmission devices are all of the same type.

BACKGROUND

During subterranean drilling and completion operations, a pipe or other conduit is lowered into a borehole in an earth formation during or after drilling operations. Such pipes are generally configured as multiple pipe segments to form a “string”, such as a drill string or production string. As the string is lowered into the borehole, additional pipe segments are coupled to the string by various coupling mechanisms, such as threaded couplings.

Various power and/or communication signals may be transmitted through the pipe segments via a “wired pipe” configuration. Such configurations include electrical, optical or other conductors extending along the length of selected pipe segments. The conductors are operably connected between pipe segments by a variety of coupling configurations.

One such coupling configuration includes a threaded male-female configuration often referred to as a pin box connection. The pin box connection includes a male member, i.e., a “pin” that includes an exterior threaded portion, and a female member, i.e., a “box”, that includes an interior threaded portion and is configured to receive the pin in a threaded connection.

Some wired pipe configurations include a transmission device mounted on the tip of the pin as well as in the box end. The transmission device, or “coupler,” can transmit power, data or both to an adjacent coupler. The coupler in the pin end is typically connected via a coaxial cable to the coupler in the box end.

One feature of a wired pipe system is that in can transmit data from a “downhole” location to the surface rapidly and vice versa. A surface communication interface (referred to as surface communication sub herein) may be used to take a signal from or put a signal into the wired pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a sub for a wired pipe system that includes a body including an outer surface and a pin end and a first transmission device located in or near the pin end. The sub also includes a communication collar that at least partially surrounds the outer surface and that is rotatable relative to the body, a second transmission device in electrical communication with the first transmission device and a transmission line that electrically connects the first and second communication devices and that passes at least partially through the body. The sub further includes a third transmission device located in the communication collar in communication with the second transmission device. In the disclosed sub, the first, second and third transmission devices are all of the same type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a wired pipe segment of a well drilling and/or logging system;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a box connector of the segment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a pin connector of the segment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of a surface sub that includes a main body and communication collar connected to a computing device according to one embodiment and;

FIG. 5 is a more detailed version of the surface sub shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed system, apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a well drilling, logging and/or production system 10 includes a conduit or string 12, such as a drillstring or production string, that is configured to be disposed in a borehole for performing operations such as drilling the borehole, making measurements of properties of the borehole and/or the surrounding formation downhole, or facilitating gas or liquid production.

For example, during drilling operations, drilling fluid or drilling “mud” is introduced into the string 12 from a source such as a mud tank or “pit” and is circulated under pressure through the string 12, for example via one or more mud pumps. The drilling fluid passes into the string 12 and is discharged at the bottom of the borehole through an opening in a drill bit located at the downhole end of the string 12. The drilling fluid circulates uphole between the string 12 and the borehole wall and is discharged into the mud tank or other location.

The string 12 may include at least one wired pipe segment 14 having an uphole end 18 and a downhole end 16. As described herein, “uphole” refers to a location near the point where the drilling started relative to a reference location when the segment 14 is disposed in a borehole, and “downhole” refers to a location away from the point where the drilling started along the borehole relative to the reference location. It shall be understood that the uphole end 18 could be below the downhole end 16 without departing from the scope of the disclosure herein.

At least an inner bore or other conduit 20 extends along the length of each segment 14 to allow drilling mud or other fluids to flow therethrough. A transmission line 22 is located within the wired segment 14 to provide protection for electrical, optical or other conductors to be disposed along the wired segment 14. In one embodiment, the transmission line 22 is a coaxial cable. In another embodiment, the transmission line 22 is formed of any manner of carrying power or data, including, for example, a twisted pair. In the case where the transmission line 22 is a coaxial cable it may include an inner conductor surrounded by a dielectric material. The coaxial cable may also include a shield layer that surrounds the dielectric. In one embodiment, the shield layer is electrically coupled to an outer conductor that may be formed, for example, by a rigid or semi-rigid tube of a conductive material.

The segment 14 includes a downhole connection 24 and an uphole connection 26. The segment 14 is configured so that the uphole connection 26 is positioned at an uphole location relative to the downhole connection 24. The downhole connectoin 24 includes a male coupling portion 28 having an exterior threaded section, and is referred to herein as a “pin end” 24. The uphole connection 26 includes a female coupling portion 30 having an interior threaded section, and is referred to herein as a “box end” 26.

The pin end 24 and the box end 26 are configured so that the pin end 24 of one wired pipe segment 14 can be disposed within the box end 26 of another wired pipe segment 14 to effect a fixed connection there between to connect the segment 14 with another adjacent segment 14 or other downhole component. In one embodiment, the exterior of the male coupling portion 28 and the interior of the female coupling portion 30 are tapered. Although the pin end 24 and the box end 26 are described has having threaded portions, the pin end 24 and the box end 26 may be configured to be coupled using any suitable mechanism, such as bolts or screws or an interference fit.

In one embodiment, the system 10 is operably connected to a downhole or surface processing unit which may act to control various components of the system 10, such as drilling, logging and production components or subs. Other components include machinery to raise or lower segments 14 and operably couple segments 14, and transmission devices. The downhole or surface processing unit may also collect and process data generated by the system 10 during drilling, production or other operations. Embodiments disclosed herein include a surface sub that can be used to allow for communication between the surface unit and communication network comprised of one or more of the wire pipe segments 14.

As described herein, “drillstring” or “string” refers to any structure or carrier suitable for lowering a tool through a borehole or connecting a drill bit to the surface, and is not limited to the structure and configuration described herein. For example, a string could be configured as a drillstring, hydrocarbon production string or formation evaluation string. The term “carrier” as used herein means any device, device component, combination of devices, media and/or member that may be used to convey, house, support or otherwise facilitate the use of another device, device component, combination of devices, media and/or member. Exemplary non-limiting carriers include drill strings of the coiled tube type, of the jointed pipe type and any combination or portion thereof. Other carrier examples include casing pipes, wirelines, wireline sondes, slickline sondes, drop shots, downhole subs, BHA's and drill strings.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the segment 14 includes at least one transmission device 34 (also referred to as a “coupler” herein) disposed therein and located at the pin end 24 and/or the box end 26. The transmission device 34 is configured to provide communication of at least one of data and power between adjacent segments 14 when the pin end 24 and the box end 26 are engaged. The transmission device 34 may be of any suitable type, such as an inductive coil, direct electrical contacts and an optical connection ring. The transmission device 34 may be disposed at the inner or outer shoulder. Further, the transmission device 34 may be a resonant coupler. Each of these types of couplers shall be referred to as including a communication element that allows it to communicate a signal to another coupler. It shall be understood that the transmission device 34 could also be included in a repeater element disposed between adjacent segments 14 (e.g, within the box end). In such a case, the data/power is transmitted from the transmission device 34 in one segment, into the repeater. The signal may then be passed “as is,” amplified, and/or modified in the repeater and provided to the adjacent segment 14. Regardless of the configuration, it shall be understood that each transmission device 34 can be connected to one or more transmission lines 22.

FIG. 4 illustrates a surface sub 40 according to one embodiment that may allow a signal to be communicated from or to a wired pipe segment 14. The signal may be received from or provided to a surface unit such as computing device 44. As illustrated, the signal is carried from the surface unit to the surface sub 40 over communication line 46. In another embodiment, the communication line 46 could connect to a wireless device that transmits the signal to another location. In yet another embodiment, the communication line 46 could be omitted and communication from the surface sub 40 to the computing device 46 could be wireless.

The illustrated surface sub 40 includes a main body 50 and a communication collar 52. The communication collar 52 and the main body 50 are configured such that they may rotate relative to one another. For example, in operation, the main body 50 may be rotated during a drilling operation while the communication collar 52 remains relatively stationary. As will be better understood from the below, this may allow for communication between the computing device 44 (or other surface unit) and the wired pipe segment 14/main body 50 as they rotate without causing the communication line 46 to be wrapped around the main body 50 or communication collar 52.

The main body 50 includes a box end 72 and a pin end 70 configured so that it can be disposed within the box end 26 of another wired pipe segment 14 to effect a fixed connection there between to connect main body 50 with segment 14. In one embodiment, the exterior of the pin end 70 and the interior of the box end 26 of an adjacent pipe segment 14 are tapered and may include interlocking threads on the tapered surfaces. Although the pin end 70 and the box end 26 are described has having threaded portions, the pin end 70 and the box end 26 may be configured to be coupled using any suitable mechanism, such as bolts or screws or an interference fit.

The main body 50 includes at least one transmission device 34 (also referred to as a “coupler” herein) disposed therein located at the pin end 70 and/or the box end 72 thereof.

In one embodiment, the transmission device 34 is configured to provide communication of at least one of data and power between surface sub 40 and segments 14 when the pin end 70 and the box end 26 are engaged. It shall be understood that the transmission device 34 could also be included in a repeater element or any other device disposed between the surface sub 40 and adjacent segment 14 (e.g., within the box end thereof). Regardless of the configuration, it shall be understood that each transmission device 34 can be connected to one or more transmission lines 22. The transmission device 34 can be any type of device capable transmitting signals across a connection between components in a wired pipe system. Examples include, without limitation, resonant couplers, inductive couplers, galvanic couplers and capacitive couplers. The transmission lines 22 serve to electrically connect the transmission device 34 to an outer surface 73 of the main body 50. The transmission lines 22 disclosed herein can all be of the same type or can be selected from different types. The types include, for example, a coaxial cable, a twisted pair, and a wire.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a more detailed depiction of portions of the surface sub 40 are illustrated. The main body 50 of the surface sub 40 includes an outer surface 73. A passage 140 connects the outer surface 73 to a coupler (not shown) located in either a pin 70 or box 72 end (FIG. 4) of the surface sub 40. The passage 140 is sized and configured to allow for passage of a transmission line 22 from the box/pin end to the outer surface 73. In this manner, a signal may be communicated in either direction between the outer surface 73 and a coupler located in the pin or box end of the sub 40.

In one embodiment, an outer adapter 101 is fixedly coupled to the outer surface 73. It shall be understood that the outer adapter 101 could be omitted. The outer adapter 101 includes a transmission device 103 in electrical communication with the transmission device in the pin/box end of the main body 50. For instance, the transmission device 103 may be electrically connected to the transmission device in the pin/box end of the main body 50 by transmission line 22. As such, it shall be understood that the transmission line 22 illustrated in FIG. 5 passes at least partially through the main body 50. In operation, the main body 50 and the outer adapter 101 are fixedly attached to one and do not rotate relative to one another. As illustrated, a screw 105 is used to form such connection.

It shall be understood that the outer adapter 101 could be omitted. In such a case, the transmission device 103 could be located at or near the outer surface 73. For instance, the transmission device 103 could be located in a groove formed in main body 50.

In one embodiment, the communication collar 52 at least partially surrounds the outer surface 73 and that is rotatable relative to the main body 50. The communication collar 52 includes a transmission device 131 that can communicate with the transmission device 103 as the two are rotated relative to one another (or when they are not rotating). The communication may be made via electric, resonant, inductive or galvanic coupling. In one embodiment, all of the transmission devices 34, 103 and 131 are of the same type. That is, if one of the devices is a resonant coupler, all of the transmission devices 34, 101 and 131 are resonant couplers.

A communication line 133 may carry signals to and from transmission device 131 though a collar body 107 to an output terminal 109. The output terminal 109 can either allow the communication line 133 to exit the communication collar 52 or may contain a wireless transmitter.

With further reference to FIG. 5, an example of how to assemble the sub 40 is provided. The outer adapter 101 is fixed to the outer surface 73 of the main body 50. The outer adapter 101 is fixed by screw 105 in the illustrated embodiment but alternative methods of securing the outer adapter 101 to the outer surface 73 may be employed. A first bearing 111 is disposed about the outer surface 73 and held in place by, for example, a retaining ring 115. As illustrated, the first bearing 111 abuts the outer adapter 103 but this is not required. The collar body 107 is then fitted about the main body 50. The collar body 107, in one embodiment, carries coupler 131. As the collar body 107 is fitted about the main body 50, the couplers 131 and 103 are brought into communication with each other. A second bearing 113 held in place by retaining mechanism 137 that may include thread that mate with threads on the outer surface of the main body 50. The first 111 and second 113 bearings allow for relative rotation of the assembly that includes the main body 50 and the outer adapter 101 and the communication collar 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the communication collar 52 includes additional optional housing element 135 that protects and is fixedly coupled to the collar body 107.

In support of the teachings herein, various analyses and/or analytical components may be used, including digital and/or analog systems. The system may have components such as a processor, storage media, memory, input, output, communications link (wired, wireless, pulsed mud, optical or other), user interfaces, software programs, signal processors (digital or analog) and other such components (such as resistors, capacitors, inductors and others) to provide for operation and analyses of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein in any of several manners well-appreciated in the art. It is considered that these teachings may be, but need not be, implemented in conjunction with a set of computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, including memory (ROMs, RAMs), optical (CD-ROMs), or magnetic (disks, hard drives), or any other type that when executed causes a computer to implement the method of the present invention. These instructions may provide for equipment operation, control, data collection and analysis and other functions deemed relevant by a system designer, owner, user or other such personnel, in addition to the functions described in this disclosure.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the various components or technologies may provide certain necessary or beneficial functionality or features. Accordingly, these functions and features as may be needed in support of the appended claims and variations thereof, are recognized as being inherently included as a part of the teachings herein and a part of the invention disclosed.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a particular instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sub for a wired pipe system, the sub comprising: a body including an outer surface and a pin end; a first transmission device located in or near the pin end; a communication collar that at least partially surrounds the outer surface and that is rotatable relative to the body; a second transmission device in electrical communication with the first transmission device; a transmission line that electrically connects the first and second communication devices and that passes at least partially through the body; and a third transmission device located in the communication collar in communication with the second transmission device; wherein the first, second and third transmission devices are all of the same type.
 2. The sub of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third transmission devices are all selected from one of: a capacitive coupler, and a resonant coupler.
 3. The sub of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless transmitter in electrical communication with the third transmission device.
 4. The sub of claim 1, further comprising: an outer adapter coupled to the outer surface that contains the second communication device.
 5. The sub of claim 4, wherein the outer adapter rotates relative to the communication collar.
 6. The sub of claim 1, wherein the communication collar includes a collar body and an output terminal.
 7. The sub of claim 6, wherein the collar body includes a communication line that carries signals between the third transmission devices and the output terminal.
 8. The sub of claim 7, wherein the output terminal includes a wireless transmitter.
 9. The sub of claim 8, wherein the communication collar includes: a retaining ring that surrounds the outer surface; and a first bearing disposed about the outer surface and held in place at least partially by the retaining ring.
 10. The sub of claim 9, further wherein the communication collar further includes a second bearing; wherein the collar body is at least partially disposed between the first and second bearings.
 11. The sub of claim 10, wherein the outer adapter at least partially disposed between the first and second bearings.
 12. The sub of claim 1, wherein the second transmission device is located at or near the outer surface. 